How to Settle a Car Accident Claim Without a Lawyer

Attempting to settle a car accident claim without a lawyer is ill-advised. Insurance companies will frequently offer a quick settlement that may seem fair, but once it’s signed, recovering additional money can be difficult. A consultation with a car accident attorney is free, and they only get paid if you win. 

If you’ve been involved in an accident, a car accident attorney in Phoenix, such as Gage Mathers, can help. We’ve represented thousands of clients across Arizona and helped them recover millions in settlement money each year!

The Risks of Settling Without a Lawyer

Insurance companies exist to make a profit. Each settlement they pay out reduces their potential earnings, meaning they have every incentive to pay as little as possible for each claim. 

Few insurance companies are outright predatory, but you can be sure the insurance adjuster won’t be offering you money beyond covering the initial hospital bill and vehicle damages. On its face, this may seem fair. However, it probably won’t include money for future physical therapy, lost wages related to recovery, or pain and suffering. All of these need to be taken into account to fully calculate losses as a result of an accident. 

Finally, signing an insurance settlement comes with fine print. Within the settlement documents is often a contract clause known as ‘release of liability,’ which forces the victim to state that they will never attempt to recover additional money related to this accident. 

If an injury or additional damage is found months later, the victim will have no legal way of seeking extra settlement money, except in extraordinary circumstances. Aspects like the statute of limitations can also affect how long after a car accident you can claim injury.

Advantages of Working With an Attorney

A qualified car accident lawyer will thoroughly examine the case, studying the immediately available evidence, such as police reports, damage assessments, and hospital bills. Next, they’ll look at other evidence carefully.

If a doctor wrote that six months of physical therapy may be necessary, this cost should be included in the settlement. The same is true for even a single day of missed work for recovery or to attend doctor’s appointments. 

Depending on the nature of one’s job, two weeks of recovery time lost wages may exceed the initial hospital bill. Without an attorney to negotiate this, facing an insurance adjuster is difficult. 

Beyond providing evidence to increase settlement amounts, simply having an attorney can quickly bring an insurance company to the negotiating table. An attorney’s letter shows that the case is serious. Court cases aren’t cheap for insurers, so they have every reason to settle before trial. 

Many accident victims ask how long a car accident settlement takes. If you accept the initial offer, it can take less than a week, but you’d be leaving a lot of potential money on the table. In reality, a settlement takes as long as it takes to calculate the losses and convince the insurer to pay or take it to court.

When a Lawyer Doesn’t Make Sense

After the free consultation, if the lawyer believes the damages or injuries are too small to bother hiring an attorney, they will be honest with you. Court fees are expensive, and if an attorney loses a case, they pay out of their own pocket. A car accident lawyer will only take cases that make financial sense for everyone involved. 

To ensure you have the best chances of success, look to Gage Mathers to help. Our team of expert attorneys knows the questions to ask and where to find the evidence needed to win. With us on your side, you can rest assured that someone will help you fight for the justice you are entitled to!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
JD’s Profile